Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations

Quiddity Advisors

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Event-Driven

<p>The disposition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mcdonald-s-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1425:1" rel="noopener">McDonald's Corp (MCD US)</a>'s ownership in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mcdonald-s-holdings-co-japan" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:985:1" rel="noopener">McDonald's Holdings Co Japan (2702 JP)</a> has been a widely discussed topic in the past several years. However, in July 2020, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mcdonald-s-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1425:1" rel="noopener">Mcdonald's Corp (MCD US)</a> confirmed in its 2020 FQ2 earnings call that they were planning to sell part of their stake. </p>
<div>
<blockquote>
<p>Consistent with enhancing financial flexibility and our franchising strategy, we're planning to divest a portion of our stake in McDonald's Japan. As a result of the strong performance of the McDonald's Japan business over the past few years and our confidence in the local management team, we believe it's the right time to gradually reduce our ownership stake in the market. This will take some time because of the low trading volume of McDonald's Japan shares. As a reminder, we currently own about 49% of the business, and we will retain at least 35% ownership. This decision provides us with additional financial flexibility to execute our capital allocation strategy while also demonstrating our commitment to our Japanese business.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>According to Capital IQ - and the last filing on the parent currently holds around 43.8% which means <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mcdonald-s-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1425:1" rel="noopener">Mcdonald's Corp (MCD US)</a> has sold around 6.1% of the planned total of ~14%. </p>
<p>To get to 35% from the current level, they would have to sell another ~11mn shares (~8.2% of total shares) and there is more than one way they could go about that. </p>
<p>That is where things get interesting. </p>
<p><em>More below the fold. </em></p>
</div>

The disposition of McDonald's Corp (MCD US)'s ownership in McDonald's Holdings Co Japan (2702 JP) has been a widely discussed topic in the past several years. However, in July 2020, Mcdonald's Corp (MCD US) confirmed in its 2020 FQ2 earnings call that they were planning to sell part of their stake. 


Consistent with enhancing financial flexibility and our franchising strategy, we're planning to divest a portion of our stake in McDonald's Japan. As a result of the strong performance of the McDonald's Japan business over the past few years and our confidence in the local management team, we believe it's the right time to gradually reduce our ownership stake in the market. This will take some time because of the low trading volume of McDonald's Japan shares. As a reminder, we currently own about 49% of the business, and we will retain at least 35% ownership. This decision provides us with additional financial flexibility to execute our capital allocation strategy while also demonstrating our commitment to our Japanese business.

According to Capital IQ - and the last filing on the parent currently holds around 43.8% which means Mcdonald's Corp (MCD US) has sold around 6.1% of the planned total of ~14%. 
To get to 35% from the current level, they would have to sell another ~11mn shares (~8.2% of total shares) and there is more than one way they could go about that. 
That is where things get interesting. 
More below the fold. 


2021 High Conviction: McDonald's Japan -  A TOPIX Inclusion BIG Bet

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-petroleum-chemical-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:369:1" rel="noopener">China Petroleum &amp; Chemical (386 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/great-wall-motor-co-ltd-cb302af9-398c-4d2d-ba39-023e43287eef" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:128:1" rel="noopener">Great Wall Motor (2333 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kingdee-international-sftwr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37:1" rel="noopener">Kingdee International Software (268 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Financials, Communication Services, Health Care and Energy, and decreased on Information Technology names.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/recruit-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15070:1" rel="noopener">Recruit Holdings (6098 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:280:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electron (8035 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sharp-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:391:1" rel="noopener">Sharp Corp (6753 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/capcom-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1459:1" rel="noopener">Capcom Co Ltd (9697 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kawasaki-heavy-industries" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8790:1" rel="noopener">Kawasaki Heavy Industries (7012 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cyberagent-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1" rel="noopener">CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased on Information Technology names and decreased in the Consumer Discretionary, Materials, Health Care and Financials sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, there was large short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-sdi-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:503:1" rel="noopener">Samsung SDI (006400 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electro-mechanics-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:539:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electro Mechanics Co, Ltd. (009150 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">Au Optronics (2409 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/delta-electronics-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12688:1" rel="noopener">Delta Electronics (2308 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nanya-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3269:1" rel="noopener">Nanya Technology (2408 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-cement" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19736:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Cement (1101 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/macronix-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3247:1" rel="noopener">Macronix International (2337 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and China Petroleum &amp; Chemical (386 HK) while there was short covering on Meituan (3690 HK), Great Wall Motor (2333 HK), Kingdee International Software (268 HK) and Anta Sports Products (2020 HK). Shorts increased in Financials, Communication Services, Health Care and Energy, and decreased on Information Technology names.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Recruit Holdings (6098 JP), Tokyo Electron (8035 JP), Sharp Corp (6753 JP) and Capcom Co Ltd (9697 JP) while shorts decreased on Fast Retailing (9983 JP), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (7012 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP) and CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased on Information Technology names and decreased in the Consumer Discretionary, Materials, Health Care and Financials sectors.In Korea, there was large short covering on Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Samsung SDI (006400 KS) and Samsung Electro Mechanics Co, Ltd. (009150 KS). Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Au Optronics (2409 TT), Delta Electronics (2308 TT), Largan Precision (3008 TT) and Nanya Technology (2408 TT) while shorts were covered on TSMC (2330 TT), Taiwan Cement (1101 TT), Mediatek Inc (2454 TT) and Macronix International (2337 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: Sinopec, Kingdee, Anta, Recruit, Capcom, Sharp, Celltrion, Samsung, Delta, TSMC

Chart based progressive global trading strategies, Chart Partners

Thomas Schroeder

Chart based progressive global trading strategies

Chart Partners

Chart Partners objective is to discover medium-term cycle turns and profit opportunities before they unfold, within structural trends while preserving capital with clear degrees of risk. We have real return ideas. 

Markets are dynamic and trading systems must reflect this. It is crucial to determine underlying correlations and lead-lag relationships within global markets and the impact on linked instruments. Our weekly Chartonics product gives you short-term trading strategies that can be applied within the medium and longer term macro trends that are mapped out in our strategy updates. 

Our methodology fuses global market variables and isolates drivers in trends. We specialize in FX, index trade in NY and Asia with a focus on Asian stocks. 

Technical Analysis

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sharp-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:391:1" rel="noopener">Sharp Corp (6753 JP)</a> continues to show overhead macro cycle concerns but does set up a long near tactical support to re test the recent high. Concern stems from the intermediate rising pattern that is a macro negative. Micro bull wedge sets the stage for a tactical rally cycle. Buy and sell volume spikes underscore the bull/bear struggle that is expected to continue.</p><p>RSI triple top rejection sets up a slide to our long support zone.</p><p>Micro bull wedge denotes backswing long support near that 1,250-20 gap zone (bounce rally expected to fade or fizzle out). Key barrier to clear come in at 1,500 and 1,770.</p><p>Clear chart points stand out as breakout points and risk support.</p>

Sharp Corp (6753 JP) continues to show overhead macro cycle concerns but does set up a long near tactical support to re test the recent high. Concern stems from the intermediate rising pattern that is a macro negative. Micro bull wedge sets the stage for a tactical rally cycle. Buy and sell volume spikes underscore the bull/bear struggle that is expected to continue.RSI triple top rejection sets up a slide to our long support zone.Micro bull wedge denotes backswing long support near that 1,250-20 gap zone (bounce rally expected to fade or fizzle out). Key barrier to clear come in at 1,500 and 1,770.Clear chart points stand out as breakout points and risk support.

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/175/629/original/2020-12-01_06-32-57.png?1606771992" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="175629"></figure></section><p><strong>FOUR QUADRANTS </strong>- By combining our two scoring methodologies - the Relative Price Score (RPS) and the Results &amp; Revision Score (RRS), we can assign companies into four quadrants:-</p></section><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<strong>CONTRARIAN BUYS </strong>- Low Results &amp; Revision and Relative Price Scores</li>
<li>
<strong>CONTRARIAN SELLS </strong>- High Results &amp; Revision and Relative Price Scores</li>
<li>
<strong>TURNAROUND BUYS </strong>- High Results &amp; Revision Scores &amp; low Relative Price Scores</li>
<li>
<strong>EX-GROWTH</strong><strong>SELLS</strong> - Low Results &amp; Revision Scores &amp; high Relative Price Scores</li>
</ul></div><div>
<p>Turnaround Buys are quite rare but tend to offer reasonable upside for relatively low risk. Examples from 2020 include <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lixil-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:454:1" rel="noopener">Lixil (5938 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nec-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17084:1" rel="noopener">NEC (6701 JP)</a>.</p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/175/110/original/2020-11-30_09-39-21.png?1606696981" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="175110"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/175/111/original/2020-11-30_09-43-17.png?1606697029" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="175111"></figure></section><p><strong><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/7b61jl02dh0pzno/2020-11-25_12-43-55.png?dl=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TURNAROUND BUYS</a> -</strong> In the<strong> DETAIL </strong>section below, we shall review the current 'crop' of Turnaround Buys. The last Insight in this mini-series will look at Ex-Growth Sells before concluding with one '2021 High Conviction' recommendation. The first two Insights in the Series can be found at - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-four-quadrants-contrarian-buys" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45688" rel="noopener">Contrarian Buys </a>and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-four-quadrants-contrarian-sells" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45725" rel="noopener">Contrarian Sells</a>.  </p>
</div>

FOUR QUADRANTS - By combining our two scoring methodologies - the Relative Price Score (RPS) and the Results &amp; Revision Score (RRS), we can assign companies into four quadrants:-

CONTRARIAN BUYS - Low Results &amp; Revision and Relative Price Scores

CONTRARIAN SELLS - High Results &amp; Revision and Relative Price Scores

TURNAROUND BUYS - High Results &amp; Revision Scores &amp; low Relative Price Scores

EX-GROWTHSELLS - Low Results &amp; Revision Scores &amp; high Relative Price Scores

Turnaround Buys are quite rare but tend to offer reasonable upside for relatively low risk. Examples from 2020 include Lixil (5938 JP) and NEC (6701 JP).
TURNAROUND BUYS - In the DETAIL section below, we shall review the current 'crop' of Turnaround Buys. The last Insight in this mini-series will look at Ex-Growth Sells before concluding with one '2021 High Conviction' recommendation. The first two Insights in the Series can be found at - Contrarian Buys and Contrarian Sells.  


🇯🇵 JAPAN • Four Quadrants - Turnaround Buys

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

<p>Travis Lundy has covered Sharp’s inclusion in the Nikkei 225 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ntt-docomo-delisting-nikkei-225-replacement-is-sharp-6753-with-a-surprise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/the-end-november-japan-rebalances-how-much-is-priced-in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Below we examine Sharp’s long-term valuations and recent share price movements relative to peers to try and ascertain where the stock may trade to post-inclusion.</p>

Travis Lundy has covered Sharp’s inclusion in the Nikkei 225 here and here. Below we examine Sharp’s long-term valuations and recent share price movements relative to peers to try and ascertain where the stock may trade to post-inclusion.

Japan

Sharp Corporation manufactures consumer and industrial electronics. The Company's products include audio-visual and communication equipment such as LCD TVs and mobile phones, home appliances, and electronic components including solar cells and integrated circuits.  Sharp operates its business worldwide.

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Sharp Corp (6753 JP)

2021 High Conviction: McDonald's Japan - A TOPIX Inclusion BIG Bet

Parent McDonald's Corp announced in July it would sell down its stake in McDonald's Japan from 49% to 35+%. It has sold about 40% of that so far....

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Asia Short Interest: Sinopec, Kingdee, Anta, Recruit, Capcom, Sharp, Celltrion, Samsung, Delta, TSMC

The Short Interest report looks at large weekly movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Ping An saw a huge increase in shorts while TSMC saw...

Brian Freitas

Sharp Bull Zone but Tough Macro Hurdles

Sharp Corp (6753 JP) sets up a long at tactical support to re test the recent high. Concern stems from the intermediate rising pattern that is a...

Thomas Schroeder

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Four Quadrants - Turnaround Buys

Turnaround Buys are quite rare but tend to offer reasonable upside for relatively low risk. Examples from 2020 include Lixil (5938 JP) and NEC...

Campbell Gunn

Sharp – Valuing the Back End

We examine Sharp’s long-term valuations and recent share price movements relative to peers to try and ascertain where the stock may trade to post...

Mio Kato

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